ARA: My salon wants to put my credit card on file

I have been going to a hair salon (exclusively) for the past 8 years. I am by all means, a “regular” – sometimes I’m there a few times a month for a blowout (weather and schedule dependent) as well as trims, cuts, color, etc.

I don’t think that my problem lies exclusively (or mainly) with that part – bottom line, I’m insulted that they are asking. As a commissioned-only base salesperson myself, I “get” the fact that money would be lost if I were to no-show or cancel. And, admittedly, I have had to cancel a few times either the day before or day of, a scheduled blow dry over the years due to work-related reasons.

As a car salesperson, often times I have to go in on my scheduled day off or go in earlier than planned to meet a customer because that is what THEY need or require. Because of that, I am (I know) an extremely good tipper. I feel that because there have been occasions that she adjusted her schedule for me, or I had to cancel completely, I believe that it is only fair to compensate her at all times. For example, for a $30-33 blow dry, I tip $20 – ALWAYS, $20 (not just the day after the missed appointment.) And to be fair to myself, I think that I am making it sound that I have canceled a lot, which isn’t the case. I may be hypersensitive to the fact that I have a few times because as I stated earlier, I too only make money (or potentially) when I am with a client.

I am considering canceling the appointment and my salon for good, and all due to pride. I really like my stylist and the owner, and would probably be shooting myself in the foot for doing it, but I would NEVER ask a client for a credit card to have a meeting with me …

The salon wants to keep your credit card on file. That’s the only part of the story that matters. The answer is NO.

Do you know if they are only doing this for you because you’ve had to bail a couple times, or if they’re asking everyone for it? It’s possible that they’ve gotten new software that prompts for that information and nobody else has complained about it yet. If that’s the case, I agree with @3 in that you could potentially save your relationship with your salon/stylist by saying that you don’t give that info out.

However, if the fact that they would even ask you has you so twisted up and insulted, then I think it’s time to find a new salon and stylist.

I would just simply tell them you do not want your credit card number on file. What if you were a cash paying customer? No card number to have on file. It might be a preference after getting stiffed often by others. I’ve never heard of a salon requiring it.

I’m surprised. I don’t fork over my credit card info to anyone to keep “on file”. That means they can charge you for pretty much anything any time they want. And if you have a dispute over the charges, too bad, they’ve already got your money – good luck getting it back.

I wouldn’t want to give out my credit card information like that either. Slightly off topic but sort of in the ballpark – I’ve always gone to Hess for gas for my car. About a year ago I bought a car that takes diesel fuel. The majority of the hess stations in the capital region do not have pay at the pump for diesel. Instead you HAVE to pre-pay. If you don’t have cash they expect you to leave your debit or credit card with the attendant while you pump. There is no way I’m going to hand over my card to a stranger to hold while I pump gas. So now I have to either plan ahead to have enough cash on hand to fill my tank or I just go to another gas station that does have pay at the pump. I know companies have to protect themselves but so do the consumers!

I used to work at a salon which required customers to hold appointments over a certain amount with a credit card, which would be charged if they did not cancel within the amount of time given in the salon’s canellation policy. The fact is that if you were to call with any legetimate reason for cancelling we would waive the charge but there are people who will just skip appointments because they dont feel like going that day, which realy hurts the service providers income. I wouldnt take it personally, it is probably just a policy they have had to put in place because inconsiderate people were not showing up for appointments. If you only cancel when it is absoutley necessary it will likely never impact you at all.

I’m surprised that you’d have to ask this, being in business yourself. You are the customer, and by your account, a good customer. So, first of all, you cannot take this personally. It is just their typical procedure, I am sure. So, divorce yourself from that aspect. Secondly, you just need to tell them that as a matter of policy you do not give your credit card number out to have on file, you prefer to pay with cash or check. If they want to keep you as a customer, as I’m sure they do, They will probably just say OK, and it will be done.

On another note, do women really pay $30.00 just to have their hair blown dry? I’m a guy who pays less than $20.00 for a haircut, so this seems kinda crazy to me.

Reader – I would talk to the owner if they truly appreciate you as a customer they will work with you.

@sk8rgrrl99 – you can leave the keys to the vehicle with them, it doesn’t have to be your credit card. I have refused to hand over my credit card and gave them my car keys. If you frequent the same station they may be willing to flip the switch for you without you handing over something.

Also there are a few Hess stations that do offer pay at the pump diesel but there is a $75 limit, Rotterdam and Ballston Spa are ones I know of.

Having worked at a salon in the past, many times the receptionists and the stylists are required to do/say different things. Most likely, this is a receptionist asking for the info because they dont know that you tip that well – they only remember the number of times they’ve had to change last minute or cancel completely your appointment. Chemical hair straightening is a HUGE time committment for your stylist, and the receptionist is probably just doing what she is told to do (we get in big trouble with our supervisors if we don’t follow protocol!). Be happy you have what sounds like an amazing salon & stylist, and let them know that you don’t feel comfortable leaving the CC#; for you, they might make the exception.

I dont think the reader is taking it “too personally”. I would never give my cc number out like this “just to hold on file”. Ive know too many people who have had their bank accounts hacked – and while they do eventually get the money back its a pain in the azzz and not worth the hassel from a potential $50.00 hair appt.

i’m guessing that they aksed to have your info because you booked a very timely and expensive procedure. If you bail on your stylist for that day she is basically out a whole day of clients/tips that they otherwise would have made if you didn’t bail. It sounds like they are just wanting to keep it on file as a sense of security for the stylist. If they have it on file, you are more likely to make the appt.

I’m with CohoesMom5, sounds normal if they wanted your credit card number to hold or insure the appointment for an expensive service.
But if it really is to keep “on file”, that just ain’t right. Just say no.
You may be taking this way to personally. Did you infer “on file”, or did they say “on file”. It is customary to get charged for an appointment if you don’t cancel within the time their policy states, which can be 24 or 48 hrs.

Maybe this is a new pracice they are trying to enforce. But either way if you like the owner and stylist of the salon, talk to them. Relay your concerns, and let them know you are not comfortable with leaving your CC info. If they value you as a customer they will work with you.

Personally, I will not leave my CC # either. One place refused to make an appointment (consultation only) for me with out it…annoying. So I went somewhere else that was highgly recommended. There’s a lot of great salons out there. Find someone new if they won’t budge.

I would not let them keep my credit card on file. But I am thinking the reason they are asking is that the treatment may take several hours and if people cancel at the last minute, or no show, it is a major problem for them.

This happened to me not 10 minutes ago, and I’ve never been to the salon before. I was shocked and told her I do not give credit card information over the phone. Is this a new thing? They’re not a doctor’s office and should not be allowed to charge a fee for a no show or cancelled services. People are going to start turning salons into the BBB.

Obviously none of you have worked in an environment where time is money. Hairdresser’s get screwed all the time. Why shouldn’t we be compensated for lost wages?!? We are professionals and deserve a little respect. I don’t think anyone would appreciate going to work and not getting paid. I think it’s great that this salon is doing this! More should, when you cancel last minute or even worse no show for an appointment you are directly affecting someones ability to make a living! It should be taken very seriously. If the general public weren’t jerks, salons or any industry for that matter wouldn’t need to do this. You are the kind of clients we would love to weed out anyway. If you were serious about an appointment holding it with a card wouldn’t be an issue. I’m sure this salon “values” someone who cancels last minute. Trust me, their just putting up with you.

Wow AMy- arrogant much? Do you realize that at most jobs time is money? And I would guess since you think the general public are jerks that you portray that to your clients. I would imagine you are not going to ever be very successful in a CUSTOMER DRIVEN business if you think all your customers are jerks.

And it is the self important people who make the rest of us sometimes paint everyone with the same brush.

AMy tone it down. I hope you don’t use that attitude with your customers.
DanCF, yes, most salon treatments are costly and sometimes unnecessarily so.

Reader, you are seriously over-tipping. Get that under control. Do not feel bad about occasionally having to cancel due to situations beyond your control. And do not give them a card on file.

The biggest problem though, is that you are thinking of straightening your hair, which will, in all likelihood, damage it excessively. From what you’ve said, it sounds like you have colored and or highlighted your hair also, which means you are already starting with damaged hair. Not to mention that as it grows out you’ll have curly roots and straight ends. You’ll have to do the process repeatedly throughout the year, and that will ruin your hair and is very costly. There are options other than chemical straightening.

I would never provide my cc # to a salon so they could put it on file, they seems very sketchy to me. Who is responsible for incorrect charges or if your card ends up with unauthorized charges due to neglect from the salon? Most salons the stylists rent booths so they aren’t technically employees of the salons so who knows if the salon or the stylists is personally responsible for the protection of your information?

And AMy…maybe your customers are canceling their appointments because you seem like a disgruntled person with a chip on your shoulder, people don’t want jerks to cut their hair and you definitely don’t give off a friendly vibe. Anytime someone CHOOSES an occupation that is customer dependent they are running the risk of getting screwed, its just the nature of the beast. Servers can get screwed out of an appropriate tip for example-it happens all the time. If you don’t want to be screwed out of a tip by us “jerks” then perhaps you should take a job that is less dependent on being personable.